MerryGoRound Health and Safety Policy

It is the general policy of MerryGoRound to provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from our activities:

  • We will provide, maintain and oversee safe and healthy working conditions, equipment and systems of work for all volunteers.

  • We will provide such information, training and supervision as is needed for this purpose.

  • We will ensure safe handling and use of hazardous substances, in line with COSSH regulations.

  • We will ensure that all volunteers are competent to do their tasks and give them adequate training.

  • Our volunteers do not work unsupervised with children or vulnerable adults or have unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults. In the event that there is a change to our processes and such contact is required, we will follow the policies and procedures outlined in our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and Adult Safeguarding Policy.

This policy will be reviewed and revised as necessary (at least annually).

Responsibilities

Responsibility for this policy lies with the Board of Trustees. Day to day responsibility for ensuring this policy is put into practice is delegated to the Health & Safety Officer.  

All volunteers have a duty to:

  • co-operate with the Board of Trustees on health and safety matters

  • not interfere with anything provided to safeguard their health and safety

  • take reasonable care of their own and others’ health and safety

  • use equipment correctly in accordance with training and instructions

  • report all health and safety concerns to an appropriate person.

Risk assessment

Risk assessments of our storage unit will be carried out annually by the Board of Trustees. Responsibility for observing the decisions made in the risk assessment lies with all volunteers.

The Board of Trustees will check at quarterly intervals that the action/s have been taken and the risks have been removed/reduced.

For special events, assessments of each activity will be carried out by the volunteer who is planning that activity. That volunteer is responsible for liaising with the Health and Safety Officer to ensure hazards are dealt with as outlined in the risk assessment.

First aid and accidents

The First Aid Box is located in the storage room. The Health & Safety Officer is responsible for checking the contents every quarter.

All accidents are to be recorded in the Accident Book. The book is located in the first aid box.


Health & Safety Officer: Julia Maile 

Date of review: March 2023

Date of next review: March 2024